Title: Revealing Insights on the Indian Diaspora Abroad
The mass deportation of undocumented foreign nationals has become a key policy under the administration of Donald Trump, with the US identifying around 18,000 Indian nationals believed to have entered the country illegally.
Recently, Narendra Modi announced that India would take back its nationals who were residing in the US illegally and would also address the issue of human trafficking. He highlighted that many of these individuals, coming from ordinary backgrounds, are enticed by grand aspirations and promises.
A new research paper by Abby Budiman and Devesh Kapur from Johns Hopkins University has brought to light various aspects of undocumented Indians in the US, including their numbers, demographics, entry methods, locations, and historical trends.
Key Findings:
– Unauthorized immigrants constitute 3% of the US population and 22% of the foreign-born population.
– Estimates of the number of undocumented Indians vary significantly, with figures ranging from 375,000 to 700,000 according to different sources.
– The DHS reported 220,000 unauthorized Indian residents in 2022.
– Despite differing estimates, uncertainty remains regarding the actual size of the undocumented Indian population in the US.
– The study suggests that while Indian migrants represent a small fraction of the unauthorized migrant population, they have experienced a substantial decrease in numbers from 2016 to 2022, possibly due to factors such as obtaining legal status or returning home amid COVID-related challenges.
Analyzing data on encounters at US borders, visa overstays, and DACA recipients among Indians, the study indicates fluctuations and patterns in the undocumented Indian population over the years.
In summary, the undocumented Indian population in the US has shown fluctuations in size and proportion among unauthorized migrants, indicating a complex and evolving scenario over time.
Most migrant crossings occur along the US-Mexico border, with the US-Canada border stretching across 11 states.
Prior to 2010, encounters involving Indian nationals at both borders were minimal, never exceeding 1,000.
However, since 2010, the majority of Indian encounters have been at the US-Mexico southern border.
In Fiscal Year 2024, the number of Indian nationals encountered at the northern border surged to represent 36% of all Indian crossings, up from just 4% the previous year.
Canada has emerged as a more accessible entry point for Indians, with quicker visitor visa processing times compared to the US.
There has been an increase in attempted border crossings since 2021, with peak encounters at the Mexico border in 2023.
Mr. Kapur stated to the BBC, “This surge is not unique to Indians but part of a broader increase in migrants attempting to enter the US following Biden’s election. It’s like a high tide of migrants, and Indians are part of it.”
A study revealed that states with the largest Indian immigrant populations – California (112,000), Texas (61,000), New Jersey (55,000), New York (43,000), and Illinois (31,000) – also have the highest numbers of unauthorized Indian immigrants.
Indian nationals account for a significant portion of the unauthorized population in states such as Ohio (16%), Michigan (14%), New Jersey (12%), and Pennsylvania (11%).
States where over 20% of Indian immigrants are unauthorized include Tennessee, Indiana, Georgia, Wisconsin, and California.
Mr. Kapur noted, “This is expected as it’s easier to blend in and find employment within an ethnic community, such as a Gujarati working for a Gujarati-American business.”
The US immigration system allows detained individuals at the border who fear persecution in their home countries to undergo credible “fear screenings”. Those who pass can apply for asylum in court, leading to a rise in asylum applications alongside increasing border apprehensions.
While administrative data does not provide exact demographics of Indian asylum seekers, court records on spoken languages offer some insights.
Punjabi speakers from India have been prominent in Indian asylum claims since 2001, followed by Hindi speakers (14%), English speakers (8%), and Gujarati speakers (7%).
They have filed 66% of asylum cases from FY 2001–2022, indicating Punjab and the neighboring state of Haryana as significant migrant sources.
Punjabi speakers from India also have the highest asylum approval rate (63%), with Hindi speakers following closely at 58%. In contrast, only a quarter of Gujarati speakers’ cases were approved.
OECD-collected US data shows a substantial increase in Indian asylum requests, soaring from about 5,000 in 2021 to over 51,000 in 2023.
While this surge is most notable in the US, similar trends are observed in Canada, the UK,
Title: The Complex Realities of Indian Asylum Seekers in the United States
In the realm of international migration, a nuanced picture emerges when examining the landscape of Indian asylum seekers in the United States. While the popular narrative often focuses on individuals fleeing conflict or persecution, new insights shed light on the diverse motivations driving migration patterns.
Recent data from the US reveals a notable trend among Indian asylum seekers, with a majority hailing from the prosperous states of Punjab and Gujarat. These individuals, predominantly Punjabi and Gujarati, represent segments of society with greater financial means, enabling them to navigate the high costs associated with migration. In stark contrast, marginalized communities, Indian Muslims, and individuals from conflict-ridden regions such as those affected by Maoist violence and the Kashmir dispute, are notably absent from the asylum-seeking cohort, according to a comprehensive study.
The study underlines a crucial distinction: the primary impetus for Indian asylum seekers appears to be rooted in economic considerations rather than seeking refuge from the most impoverished or conflict-stricken areas of the homeland. The arduous journey to the US, whether through Latin America or by adopting the guise of “fake” students in Canada, demands financial resources that far exceed India’s average per capita income. This reality renders the path to asylum accessible only to those who possess assets to liquidate or leverage, as outlined in the study.
Punjab and Gujarat, recognized as key origin points for unauthorized Indian migrants, emerge as notable hubs within India’s economic landscape. These regions, characterized by thriving economies and soaring land values that surpass traditional agricultural returns, serve as pivotal departure points for individuals seeking alternative opportunities abroad. The study underscores the significant financial investment required to pursue even illicit migration pathways, underscoring the intricate interplay of economic factors driving migration decisions.
While a surge in asylum claims may appear correlated with concerns over democratic erosion in India, the study’s authors caution against drawing simplistic causational links. Punjab and Gujarat boast longstanding histories of emigration, with migrants not only gravitating towards the US but also destinations like the UK, Canada, and Australia. The allure of remittances, estimated at a staggering $120 billion for India in 2023, fuels aspirations for upward mobility rooted in notions of “relative deprivation” rather than sheer destitution, according to the study.
A parallel industry of agents and brokers has capitalized on this burgeoning demand for migration services within India, profiting from the aspirations of individuals seeking enhanced prospects overseas. The study raises pertinent questions about the Indian government’s stance on illegal migration, hinting at a reluctance to address the issue due to perceived burdens on receiving countries outweighing concerns for the homeland. Notably, between 2009 and 2024, approximately 16,000 Indians faced deportation, with varying rates under different US administrations – averaging 750 per year under Obama, 1,550 during Trump’s first term, and 900 under Biden’s tenure.
The trajectory of Indian migrant removals witnessed fluctuations, with a notable
